World War 2 Review

            
            
            
            
            
            
            
             The war is over the Soviet demand for Finland to relinquish naval bases and territory to the Soviets.
             Russia wins the war (they outnumber Finland 10-1), but suffer huge casualties.
             Convinces Hitler that it is time to invade Russia.
             May 10, 1940.
             France surrenders to Germany.
             Winston Churchill replaces Neville Chamberlain as Prime Minister.
             o Rallies England to resist planned German invasion (OPERATION SEA LION).
             Pro-German French government is est. @ Vichy.
             o Led by Marshall Henri Petain (WW1 war hero).
             May 26-June 4, 1940.
             Allies successfully evacuate 350,000 of the 400,000 trapped by the German defeat of France (blitzkrieg).
             o Among the evacuated is Charles De Gaulle.
             Forms the basis for a Free French government-in-exile.
             July 10, 1940.
             Beginning of the BATTLE OF BRITAIN.
             o Hitler attempts to bomb England into submission in preparation for his planned invasion.
             o After 6 months Hitler abandons his plans to invade due to his losses inflicted by the RAF.
             o He mistakenly concentrated his air force upon London and other population centers instead of important military targets.
             January 6, 1941.
             Four Freedoms Speech.
             June 22, 1941.
             Germany invades Russia (OPERATION BARBAROSSA).
             o Bad idea for Germany because they are now fighting a 2-front war.
             o Nazis treat Russians horribly.
             Many Russians welcome the Germans as liberators from communist oppression.
             Einstazgruppen are established.
             Special killing squads who follow behind the Wermacht killing Jews and others.
             2 years will kill over 1 mil.
             Babi Yar.
             o Largest killing operation; killed 30,000 Soviet Jewsjust in 2 days @ Kiev in the ravine.
             August 9-14, 1941.
             Churchill and FDR make the Atlantic Charter.
             October 31, 1941.
             USS Reuben James (destroyer on convoy duty) is sunk by a German sub.
             o Loss of 225 officers and men.
             o First American warship sunk in WW2.
             December 7, 1941.
             Japanese bomb naval base @ PEARL HARBOR.
             o American Pacific fleet is nearly annihilated.
             o Japan makes the mistake of immediately invading and occupying Hawaii.